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Aviation History
1916
1916 - 0988.PDF
1/tlGHT at the Crystal Palace, where it was rather roughly handled by a gale, and had to be dismantled and sent back to Farn- borough. In 1908, however, " Nulli Secundus II " made its appearance, with several modifications in design. The envelope had been increased in length, and the keel and envelope were united by a covering of silk fabric. The steering planes and cars had also been simplified. In spite of the " improvements," however, " Nulli Secundus II " was ha 1 illy a success, though no doubt much useful data was obtained, and shortly after it was broken up. It was not until the following year that the next Army dirigible came forth, in the shape of a small, and rather pretty, vessel, with a somewhat stumpy, fish-shaped envelope, measuring #4 ft. x 35 ft., capacity 21,000 cubic ft. It had two horizontal and one vertical inflated fins at the stem, somewhat after the maimer of the " Ville-de-Paris." Suspended below the 1 nvrlope was a medium-sized nacelle, containing two 8 h.p. Buchet engines, driving a propeller mounted above. A rudder and elevator were mounted at the stern of the nacelle. Th 1010 a larger ship, No. 2A, was turned out, having a cigar- shaped envelope with two inflated horizontal stabilising fins on the tail, and with a long nacelle suspended below. The litter contained an 80 h.p. Green engine driving through swivelling transmission of the Willows type two side propel lers. Then followed another small airship, made up mostly from " Baby," called the " Beta." It had a similar form of propulsion as the previous ship, and enjoyed a comparatively long life, accomplishing many successful flights, and under going not a few modifications. Shortly after the completion NOVEMBER 9, 1916. of "Beta," the " Gamma "Jmade its appearance. This ship was similar to No. 2A, but larger—it was, in fact, the largest built at the factory. In 1910 two airships were obtained from France, the " Clement-Bayard II " and " LebaudyVIII" (" Morning Post "), both of which eventually came to grief after journeys from France to England. In 1912 another ship, the" Delta,"similar in size to No. 2A, but differing in that it had a boat-shaped car instead of the long nacelle,was produced. The "Delta" was followed in 1913 by a sister ship, the " Eta." At about this time the fleet of airships— what there was of it—was taken over by the Admiralty. In addition to these ships, the Naval fleet included a Parseval (No. 18), an Astra-Torres (No. 14), and the Willows No. 4. A rigid airship was completed in 1911 at the works of Messrs. Vickers Sons and Maxim, but never made a flight, for on being taken out of its shed at Barrow it was broken in half by being blown against the sides of the hangar. It was never rebuilt. The " Mayfly," as it came to be known, measured 510 ft. long by 48 ft. diameter, and had a capacity of 706,330 cubic ft. In appearance it was strikingly similar to the modern Zeppelin, except that it had two gondolas connected by a covered, internal " cat-walk," with a cabin in the centre as in the " Hansa " type. Each gondola had a 200 h.p. Wolseley engine, the forward one driving two side screws, and the rear one a single propeller at the stern of the gondola, Horizontal and vertical fins and multi-plane elevators and rudders were mounted on the tail, as well as small elevators in front. To be concluded.) THE ROLL, OF HONOUR. REPORTED by the Admiralty:— Previously reported Missing, now reported Not Missing. Flight Sub-Lieut. A. J. Chadwick, R.N. Reported by the War Office:— Killed. 2nd Lieut. L. C. Fawkner, R.F.C. Lieut. S. Haywood, E. Lanes., attd. R.F.C. Lieut. J. C. Jervis, R.F.C. Capt. L. H. King-Harman, R.H.A., attd. R.F.C. 2nd Lieut. W. A. M. Niven, R.F.C. Previously reported Wounded, now reported Died of Wounds. 2nd Lieut. J. A. Simpson, R.F.C. Previously reported Missing, now reported Died of Wounds. 2nd'Lieut. C.rC.'Hann, R.F.C. and Lieut.*F. G. W. Marchant, R.W. Kent and R.F.C. Died of Wounds. 16186 2nd Air Mech. H. H. R. Rolfe, R.F.C. Wounded. 2nd Lieut. V.lBayley, King's (Liverpool) attd. R.F.C. -•nd Lieut. W. C. Crawford, Mach. Gun Corps and R.F.C. 2nd Lieut. J. S. Smith, N. Staffs, and R.F.C. Missing. 2nd Lieut. G. R.'Bolitho, Devonshire, attd. R.F.C. 2ndJLieut. W. M. Carlyle, R.F.C. Meteorology and Air Work. IN the annual report of the Meteorological Committee for the year ended March 31st last, there are the following references to work in connection with aircraft:— Professorship of Meteorology to the Roval Flying Corps. In \h u of the importance of co-ordinating the experience of flying officers with the work of the Office and Observatories in order to obtain more effective knowledge of the structure of the atmosphere for the use of the air services, the Com mittee represented to the Director of Military Aeronautics the desirability of appointing a Professor of Meteorologv to the Royal Flying Corps (with the rank of Major during" the war). The Director of Military Aeronautics concurred, and, with the sanction of your Lordships, the Army Council approved the appointment of Lieut. G. I. Taylor, R.F.C., to that office. Major Taylor was Schuster Reader in Meteor ology from February 20th, 1912. His services were lent by the Committee to the Board of Trade for meteorological work 2nd Lieut. J. Collen, R. Inniskilling F., attd. R.F.C. 2nd Lieut. A. J. Fisher, R.F.C. 2nd Lieut, W. Fraser, R.F.C. 2nd Lieut. P. F. Heppell, R.F.A. and R.F.C. 2nd Lieut. H. B. O. Mitchell, M.C., R. Inniskilling F., attd. R.F.C. 2nd Lieut. G. A. Palfreyman, Buffs (E. Kent), attd. R.F.C. 2nd Lieut. F. G. Parsons, R.F.C. 2nd Lieut. M. Sharpe, R.F.C. 2nd Lieut. S. N. Williams, R.F.C. Previously reported Missing, now reported Wounded and Prisoners of War in German hands. 2nd Lieut. J. D. A. Macfie, Black Watch, attd. R.F.C. Capt. H. G. Salmond, R.F.C. Prisoner of War in German hands. 2nd Lieut. A. F. Organ, R.F.C. Previously reported Missing, now reported Prisoners of War in German hands. 2nd Lieut. R. N. Carter, Dorest, attd. R.F.C. Lieut. L. B. Helder, R. Fus., attd. R.F.C. 2nd Lieut. K. F. Hunt, Yeomanry and R.F.C. Lieut. R. R. Money, E. Yorks., attached R.F.C. 2nd Lieut. C. Smith, R.F.C. Previously reported Prisoner of War, now reported Exchanged Prisoner of War and Transferred to India. 1414- Air Mech. J. Hogg, R.F.C. on the s.s. " Scotia," chartered for the investigation of ice in 1913. The report of the work of that voyage marks a new epoch in the history of meteorology. The mathematical aspects of work therein contained were developed and extended in an essay which obtained the Adams Prize of the University of Cambridge. At the outbreak of war Mr. Taylor was recommended to the R.A.F., and thence obtained a com mission in the R.F.C. The Professorship dates from Feb. 14th, 1916, andis attached to the Meteorological Office. Departmental Divisions, Observatories, Branches, and Stations.—All the establishments in connection with the Office have been regularly maintained in effective operation. The Branch Office at South Farnborough, which has been in charge of Capt. C. J. P. Cave, of the Meteorological Section R.E., has been specially engaged in the investigation of the occurrence of thunderstorms for the Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, with a view to anticipating "their arrival in threatened localities. 980
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